Asphalt is not indestructible. It will not last forever. In fact, even with regular maintenance, your asphalt parking lot will only last 15-20 years. The key phrase in that last sentence is “with regular maintenance.” Without maintenance, your asphalt will deteriorate much quicker.
Asphalt maintenance refers to the methods and techniques used to prolong the useful life of asphalt pavement.
Forms of Asphalt Maintenance
- Crack Fill: Over time, cracks will undoubtedly form in your asphalt. This is normal and easy to deal with. Crack filling is the process in which asphalt cracks are sealed to prevent further water penetration and thus further damage. When water finds its way into the cracks and crevices in the surface of your asphalt, it works its way to the base, slowly eroding your parking lot from beneath. The end results are cracks, pot holes, and, eventually, premature pavement failure.
- Asphalt Patching: Unlike an overlay, which is the placement of new asphalt on top of the old, damaged asphalt, asphalt patching involves the removal of the damaged asphalt, typically in a single area. Once this is done, new asphalt is poured onto the existing sub-base or sub-grade.
- Overlay: An overlay is when a new and additional layer of asphalt is installed over what is already there.
- Sealcoating: This preventative maintenance measure helps safeguard asphalt from the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. Sealcoating, which is essentially a thin liquid layer added over a paved surface, is designed to block water infiltration, protecting your asphalt surface and extending its useful life.
Asphalt maintenance will help extend the useful life of your asphalt, saving you both heartache and money. So what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and call PTG Enterprises today! We have been in the asphalt paving business for more than a decade and know a thing or two about asphalt maintenance. So do yourself a favor the next time you have an asphalt project. Call PTG Enterprises, the asphalt contractor that cares about you, the customer.
If you have any questions about our blog, “Asphalt Patching, Crack Fill and other forms of Asphalt Maintenance,” please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! You can check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
